Sacramento has a council-manager form of government. The council is comprised a mayor elected at large, and eight council members elected by district; all serve staggered four-year terms. A city manager is hired by the council.
Suburban growth after World War II outpaced the city's ability to annex land (county residents consistently defeated city efforts to annex). The result has been that two-thirds of Sacramento's residents live outside the borders of any incorporated city. Urbanized areas, therefore, are still governed by a system designed for rural counties.
Head Official: Mayor Heather Fargo (since 2000)
Total Number of City Employees: 4,695 (2004)
City Information: City Hall, 915 I Street, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95814; telephone (916)264-5407